Lester Holt is a leading voice in TV news, but he was first inspired to become a journalist through radio. As a kid, he visited the radio station in Alaska where his brother worked, which led to his becoming a radio DJ and then a news reporter at a San Francisco radio station. He crossed over into TV news in New York in 1981 and joined NBC News in 2000. Since 2015, Holt has been the sole anchor of “Nightly News.”
“I could never really imagine being in this particular job. I really didn’t think it was possible,” Holt said. “But things change quickly, and one of the most important pieces of advice I was given is: Be prepared for doors to open at the most unlikely times in your life.”
As a leader in TV news, what does Lester Holt think it takes to be a good leader? Watch our video above and read his comments below to see his take on helming NBC’s flagship news program and how leaders can inspire up-and-coming reporters.
How do you lead in the newsroom?
I know that people watch me very carefully sometimes. Sometimes it’s just encouraging words at the right time. The pandemic was suddenly on us and people were being sent home. I remember saying to the younger folks: “This could be the biggest story of your career. The country is shutting down, and none of us have ever been through anything quite like it.”
It’s important for me to really step up and help people understand the enormous responsibility we have. We’re talking to millions and millions of people every night. We’re making decisions on their behalf in terms of what we think are the most important stories of the day. That’s a lot of trust. It’s really important for me to have a staff that’s really grounded and can appreciate what’s expected of us by our viewers.
When you started your career, how did leaders help you?
I started in local news in New York at age 23, so I was swimming in the deep end, no question. I had people who influenced me, mentors. Sometimes you don’t appreciate it until you look back — “Wow, I made a lot of dumb mistakes, and they didn’t fire me.” They stuck with me, and I applaud them for that.
I think the key is to empower people. Teach by example, but at some point, give people the room to succeed or fail. I always believe that when someone makes a mistake, if you’re a normal person, you never want to make that mistake again. I know when I mispronounced that word or missed the lede. People find success in their own way, and I think that good leadership should be more nurturing than straight instructive.
What’s an area of leadership that you’re working on?
I tend to be very self-reliant to a fault. I struggle as a leader sometimes with wanting to control everything. You can’t control everything, and that’s the reason we bring people along, nurture them. You’re not the only guy that can do it. That’s the mantra that I live by.
Is it hard to lead a newscast during tragic events?
The longer you’re in this business, the more mature you become. You realize it’s OK to sometimes show a little human emotion, because it makes you real. It’s not an editorial position to get weepy-eyed over a school shooting. I’m being a human being. Obviously, I’m a professional, but there have been stories that have really been a gut punch, especially when things are unfolding in real-time.
I remember the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. We didn’t have information about who, if anyone, had been hurt and it went on for a very long time. A correspondent from our local station in New York was on the set with me, and at one point he gave the numbers of deaths of little children. I always remember that moment — “What? I need a moment here to carry on” — because it’s a very human experience.
It’s OK that you reacted like every other person watching in that moment. It’s important that we empathize, beyond just being authoritative and knowledgeable. One of the core parts of being an anchor is being a calming presence, but also someone that people can relate to, with real human emotions.
Your youngest son, Stefan Holt, is an anchor at NBC 5 Chicago. What advice do you have for him and younger journalists?
Be prepared for the winds of change. People will always have an appetite for news, but how people consume news is going to be a moving target.
One of my mentors would share with me that it [journalism] is a calling. Sounds a little corny, but it really is. You have to want to do this and believe in what we do. We are a pillar of democracy. I know a lot of young journalists took it personally when we went through a period of mistrust in the media. But part of what we do requires bravery and standing up for the principles of journalism. You have to get past the noise sometimes to make sure that people hear the news.
